GABA signaling in NG2 glia mediates empathy-like behavior under observational social defeat - PubMed
3 hours ago
- #GABA Signaling
- #Neurobiology
- #Empathy
- Observational social defeat (OSD) in mice increases consolation behavior through enhanced allogrooming toward defeated conspecifics.
- Medial amygdala (MeA) GABAergic neurons are selectively activated during empathic allogrooming, with NG2 glia modulating this via GABA signaling.
- NG2 glia ablation in the MeA reduces inhibitory synaptic transmission, disinhibiting neighboring GABAergic neurons and increasing allogrooming.
- Single-cell RNA analysis and genetic knockout confirm Gad1-expressing NG2 glia as the source of GABA signaling, requiring elevated corticosterone.
- The findings suggest targeting GABA signaling in NG2 glia as a potential therapeutic strategy for vicarious trauma.